[Adopted 3-5-1990 by Ord. No. 996, approved 3-5-1990[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Art. VII, Curb and Sidewalk Construction, adopted 9-9-1963 by Ord. No. 445, approved 9-9-1963, as amended.
Every owner of property in the Borough of Middletown shall, on 60 days' notice from the Borough Council, through its agent (Code Enforcement Officer), construct or reconstruct either a sidewalk or curb, or both, as specified in the notice, which shall conform to all applicable requirements of this article or any previous ordinance, in front of or alongside of such property.
Every owner of property in the Borough of Middletown shall, on 30 days' notice from the Borough Council, through its agent (Code Enforcement Officer), repair the sidewalk or curbing, or both, in the manner stipulated in such notice, in front of or alongside of such property.
[Amended 7-6-1992 by Ord. No. 1030, approved 7-6-1992; 7-20-2015 by Ord. No. 1316, approved 7-20-2015; 10-4-2022 by Ord. No. 1392, approved 10-4-2022]
For the purposes of this article, when used in connection with sidewalks or curbs, "repair" is defined as any maintenance or work done on or to a sidewalk, or a portion thereof, that is less than the construction, removal, or replacement of the sidewalk, or a portion thereof. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to make any opening or excavation in or under any sidewalk, or to construct, remove or replace any sidewalk or curb within the limits of the Borough of Middletown, unless and until a permit for that purpose is acquired in accordance with this article. Any such work, including minor sidewalk or curb repairs not requiring a permit, shall be completed in accordance with this article and according to the following specifications:
A. 
Specifications for new sidewalks.
(1) 
All new sidewalks shall be a width of four feet (48 inches), unless the proposed sidewalk abuts an existing sidewalk, in which case the new sidewalk shall conform to the width of the abutting sidewalk, but in no event be less than three feet (36 inches) in width. Any variation in width must have approval of the Borough prior to construction. New sidewalks constructed within rights-of-way of the Borough shall be of concrete construction as per specifications in Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Publication 72M, Standards for Roadway Construction, as amended. The concrete shall conform to the requirements of PennDOT Form 408, Specifications, as amended, and shall be Class A Portland (3,000 pounds per square inch) cement concrete with 6% air-entraining admixture. Proper means of soil compaction and removing surplus water shall be used to the satisfaction of the Borough designee. Sidewalks shall be installed with a line and grade in accordance with ADA standards.
(2) 
Concrete for sidewalks shall be a minimum of four inches thick, with six inches in areas of driveway aprons. Sidewalks shall be scored with construction joints, in general, in four-foot sections, and in no case shall joint spacing be more than six feet in length. A 3/4-inch expansion joint shall be provided at least once every 20 feet, where the sidewalk meets a curb or other vertical edge, and at such other places as may be directed by the Borough designee. Expansion joints shall be filled with suitable self-leveling joint filler to provide a flush, smooth surface. Sidewalk surfaces shall have a light broom finish applied, perpendicular to the direction of walking.
(3) 
The sidewalk and forms shall be set on six inches of compacted 2A crushed aggregate. Subbase stone shall be compacted by plate tamper or other equivalent means.
(4) 
New construction of sidewalk and curb as a single integral unit is prohibited; however, under certain conditions and upon approval of the Borough, a curb and sidewalk may be constructed as an integral unit.
B. 
Repair of existing sidewalks.
(1) 
No sidewalk may be repaired or resurfaced with asphalt.
(2) 
When lawfully constructed existing sidewalks, or portions thereof, are damaged or removed, the sidewalk shall be repaired, rebuilt or replaced with the same type of material as was in place prior to the damage or removal. Restoration described in the preceding sentence shall replicate the exact design used prior to the sidewalk being damaged or removed unless the preexisting design violates the specifications of § 235-30A, in which case the new sidewalk specifications of § 235-30A shall apply. The replaced surface must be maintained at the proper grade, without ridges or depressions, and in as good condition as it was prior to the damage or removal.
(3) 
All utility boxes or appurtenances within sidewalks shall be so placed as to conform to the grade of the sidewalk and be flush with the sidewalk surface.
(4) 
All openings in existing sidewalks for utility connections shall be made only in a manner approved by the Borough. Except for sidewalks consisting of bricks or other disjointed material, all such openings shall be created by a concrete saw cut. When replacing concrete or other similar material lacking a natural joint, new work shall be separated at all points along the outside sides or circumference thereof from the existing concrete sidewalk by 3/4-inch expansion joints which shall be filled with self-leveling sealer.
(5) 
All utility boxes, utility poles, and fire hydrants shall be enclosed in expansion joints. Utility curb box covers shall be free of concrete in order to permit easy access.
(6) 
All details of construction not mentioned in this article shall be in accordance with construction specifications per PennDOT Publication 408, Specifications, as amended, and PennDOT Publication 72M, Standards for Roadway Construction, as amended.
(7) 
It shall be the duty of every person, firm or corporation causing damage and repair to, or the removal and replacement of, any sidewalk within the Borough to also restore any appurtenances removed or damaged in connection with the sidewalk using the same materials and design as the original appurtenance unless the original design violates the current specifications. Examples of such appurtenances include, but are not limited to, the curbing, adjacent sidewalks, crosswalks, lights or lampposts, benches, trees or other vegetation, tree wells, flowerbeds or holders, drain pipes, inlets, and signs.
C. 
Specifications for new curbs.
(1) 
All new curbing along any streets of the Borough shall be of concrete construction. The concrete shall conform to the requirements of PennDOT Publication 408, Specifications, as amended, and shall be Class A (3,000 pounds per square inch) Portland cement concrete with 6% air-entraining admixture. Proper means of soil compaction and removing surplus water shall be used to the satisfaction of the Borough designee. All new curbing shall include contraction joints constructed by sawing a straight cut or tool joint, two inches deep, 3/16 inch wide center at a maximum of 20 feet to a minimum of four feet.
(2) 
All cuts in the street for curb replacement, whether concrete or asphalt, must be made with a saw. The opening shall have a width of 12 inches to facilitate compaction. Jackhammer cuts are no longer permitted.
(3) 
All new curbing of concrete shall meet the dimension requirements as shown in PennDOT Publication 72M, RC-64M, as amended.
(4) 
The height above the gutter line shall be six inches. Under certain conditions of the gutter line, variations shall be permitted only upon approval of the Borough designee. The top of the curbing shall be floated smooth with a wooden float. The front or face of the curb shall have a smooth broomed finish to the gutter line. All exposed surfaces shall be solid and free of voids or "honeycomb."
(5) 
Where present curbs are of stone, they may be reset if stone is sound and dressed along the original dimension lines. No stone may be used for new curbing or reset if condemned by the Borough.
(6) 
In the case of private driveways crossing any sidewalk, the curb shall be depressed across the driveway by providing a sloping section on either side of the depression with a slope of three inches per foot. The driveway apron will be built with a taper up from the depression on each side two feet as a maximum, and there shall be no sharp dip, three inches per foot being the maximum. The top of the depressed area of the curb shall be 1 1/2 inches above the gutter line. No ramp or filler in the gutter will be permitted.
(7) 
The contractor shall install a minimum of six compacted inches of 2A for curb subbase. Pavement repair shall consist of ensuring a straight, true edge for the opening, all edges to be tack coated prior to placing asphalt. Hot mix asphalt, matching street specifications, shall be placed and compacted to fill the opening flush with the existing surface. The minimum depth of the base course shall be three inches of 25 mm HMA and 1.5 inches of 9.5 mm wearing course for all curb pavement restoration. The gutter line shall be maintained to ensure positive flow of water. Upon completion of the asphalt, the edges shall be fully sealed with a six-inch-wide band of PG 64S-22.
(8) 
At limits of new work, the existing curb will be cut in an approved manner with a concrete saw, the entire curb will be removed within the limits of the work, and expansion joints will be placed at the limits of work. The driveway apron will be built with a taper up from the depression on each side three feet as a maximum, and there shall be no sharp dip, two inches per foot being the maximum.
(9) 
All details of construction not mentioned in this article shall be in accordance with PennDOT Publication 408, Specifications, as amended, and PennDOT Publication 72M, Standards for Roadway Construction, as amended.
D. 
Permits.
(1) 
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to construct or replace any sidewalk or curb within the limits of the Borough of Middletown unless and until a permit is secured from the Borough for each separate undertaking, such permit and the application therefor to be in the form prescribed by the Borough and to contain a statement that the applicant agrees to the terms of this article. The Borough shall promptly prohibit any work being done or continued without a proper permit or contrary to the terms hereof.
(2) 
All references in this article to the Borough of Middletown shall extend to and constitute authorization to the Borough designee.
(3) 
The application for the permit shall specify a date when said construction or replacement shall occur and the place where said construction or replacement shall be made, together with such further information as the Borough may require; and any additional surface to be disturbed and any additional time required may be endorsed on the permit by the Borough, provided that emergency breaks or leaks may be repaired and a permit therefor secured within 72 hours.
(4) 
Permit charges shall be $25 for the first 50 square feet or portion thereof of sidewalk constructed or replaced plus $10 for each additional 50 square feet constructed or replaced, or portion thereof. Permit charges shall be $25 for the first 50 linear feet or portion thereof of curb constructed or replaced plus $10 for each additional 50 linear feet constructed or replaced, or portion thereof. These fees shall be for a four-week period beginning with the date of the commencement of the work. For any work exceeding this four-week period, there shall be added a sum of $40 per week until work on the undertaking has been satisfactorily completed.
(5) 
It shall be the duty of any person or persons, firms or corporations to whom a permit is issued, or by whom any sidewalk or curb is constructed or replaced, to provide and maintain proper and adequate guards, barriers and lights to prevent accidents, and they shall assume all risks and be liable for all damages by reason of the openings and excavations and by reason of any failure to properly fill the hole or trench and maintain the disturbed surface in a safe condition.
[Amended 10-4-2022 by Ord. No. 1392, approved 10-4-2022]
In cases where downspout water from any building is so discharged that it would be drained onto the sidewalk, new or replaced/repaired sidewalks shall be constructed that a three-inch pipe must be placed under the sidewalk and through the curb, allowing the water to drain into the gutter. The invert of the pipe through the curb shall be one inch above the gutter line. A scored joint shall be placed in the sidewalk directly above the pipe to control cracking.
[Amended 10-4-2022 by Ord. No. 1392, approved 10-4-2022]
All sidewalks and curbing shall be constructed, reconstructed and repaired and the grading therefor done upon the line and grade to match existing conditions. Upon notice as provided in §§ 235-28 and 235-29 of this article, as the case may be, such work of construction, reconstruction or repair shall be done by the owner or owners of such property. It is the responsibility of the contractor to notify the Borough for an inspection after completion of the forms and before concrete is poured.
All grass plots must conform to the established grass plots of adjoining property owners. Any variation thereof must be approved by the Code Enforcement Officer.
[Amended 10-4-2022 by Ord. No. 1392, approved 10-4-2022]
Every corner shall have a handicap ramp. This applies to all new building construction. Ramps shall conform with PennDOT Publication 72M, Standards for Roadway Construction, as amended, specifically RC-67M.
[Amended 10-4-2022 by Ord. No. 1392, approved 10-4-2022]
The Borough may, at any time during the course of work of construction, reconstruction or repair of any sidewalks or curbing, visit the site of such work to ascertain whether or not such work is being done according to the requirements of the ordinances of the Borough, and shall visit any such site for such purpose whenever requested by the property owner. Within five days after the completion of the work of construction, reconstruction or repair of any sidewalk or curbing, it shall be the duty of the owner of the property where such work was done to notify the Borough of the fact so that the same may be inspected to determine whether the grade thereof has been observed and followed.
[Amended 10-4-2022 by Ord. No. 1392, approved 10-4-2022]
Any property owner, upon his own initiative and without notice from any Borough authority, may construct, reconstruct or repair a sidewalk or curb in front of or alongside his property, provided that such owner shall first make application to the Borough and shall conform to the requirements of this article and shall not violate any ordinance of the Borough as to the line and grade and as to materials used and that he shall notify the Borough within five days after the completion of the work.
Upon failure of any owner of property in the Borough of Middletown to construct, reconstruct or repair any sidewalk or curbing after notices have been given in accordance with this article, the Borough may cause the necessary construction, reconstruction or repair thereof to be done at the expense of said owner, either by employees of the Borough of Middletown or by contract between the Borough of Middletown and paving and curbing contractors lawfully entered into, and may collect the cost thereof and all additional charges, expenses and penalties as authorized in Section 1807 of the Act of May 4, 1927, P.L. 519, as last amended.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See now 8 Pa.C.S.A. § 1805.
[Amended 10-4-2022 by Ord. No. 1392, approved 10-4-2022]
The Borough may establish rules and regulations for implementing the requirements established under this article.